Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

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Carrie
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Re: Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

Post by Carrie » Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:39 pm

2plus2,

Thanks so much for answering! That really helps give a clearer picture of where you're at with your daughter as far as phonics instruction goes. :D You are correct that 100EZ Lessons is a phonics program, so you've done some phonics with her already. That has gotten her underway with reading which is a good start. One thing that is important to note is that 100 EZ Lessons is one of the phonics programs that doesn't go as far with phonics instruction as many other programs, so when you finish that program you need something else to finish out phonics instruction. So, you're not alone in this area. You just have more phonics to do before your daughter's phonics instruction is complete. :D

You can finish out phonics in a variety of ways, but whatever you choose I'd lean toward a program that has your daughter reading on a daily basis from phonics controlled reading material (so that she'll feel successful). Of the two programs we carry, I'd lean toward either doing Reading Made Easy from the beginning (and moving faster through what she already knows) or the other option is to pick up The Reading Lesson in the middle of the program and finish it out. Either option would work. :D Some of the instruction will be a repeat, but if she really knows her phonics (as a child needs to) then she'll move quicker through what she already knows. If she's not moving quickly that just means she needs more practice and there's no need to rush. Set the timer, keep the lessons short, and make sure to systematically teach phonics 5 days a week. You'll see progress! :D Phonics typically takes more than one year to complete!

Blessings,
Carrie

inHistiming
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Re: Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

Post by inHistiming » Wed Mar 24, 2010 6:09 pm

One thing I've done with my daughter who had reading issues and still has a bit of trouble with spelling is to go through the Explode the Code books. She doesn't mind, thinks they're fun actually, and she understands that it is to help her get better with reading/spelling because it's something she has more difficulty with. (she is 10, so it may be easier for her to grasp that without feeling like a failure than a younger child...I know my 6 yo still expects perfection and doesn't understand very well when he can't do something he wants to do) It may be worth checking out...my two middle kids use them and my older son, who is 12, asked if he could do it just because it seems fun. (I don't think they have levels that far up though, 6th grade) Anyway, you can think about it and maybe check out the books.... :wink:

momwith3
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Re: Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

Post by momwith3 » Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:02 pm

My 2 cents is to pray. Put him/her in God's hands each day you teach her. My 7 year old struggles with reading and yet loves to listen to books on tape. So it's not that she doesn't like reading, it's just hard for her. My 5 year old reads at the same level as her, or maybe better. He has been reading signs since he was three. Each child is a unique creation of a most holy, mighty creator. While we want the best for our children, and to do everything to meet their needs, trust God to grab them and take care of them. You just do your very best, and accept Jesus' awesome grace when we fail. I was struck by this quote today from our history lesson -
"Make sure you are doing what is right with God - and then do it with all your strength" - George Washington
Your child is going to be a great reader and do great things for God!

2plus2
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Re: Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

Post by 2plus2 » Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:26 am

Thanks so much for all the tips. It is nice to have direction from those who have been there done that. Obviously putting her in God's hands is absolutely #1 - I concur there. Sometimes I just wonder, without anything to measure against, if I am on target or if maybe she has some problems that I am not picking up on, having not taught anyone b/f her (except my dog & I failed miserably there) I appreciate that you busy mommies take the time to answer my concerns. I will be continuing with phonics. I am so glad I asked or I would never have known I was supposed to do that. Thank you thank you!

shaffer96
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Re: Can you help me figure out if 6yr old is behind?

Post by shaffer96 » Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:26 am

There are so many great phonics programs out there! Check out Mcruffy.com. They have an excellent phonics program as well, which you can order be grade level so your dd may not feel like its babyish, or for her sisters. We LOVE it because it is very multi-sensory. It comes with a teachers guide, student workbooks, phonics games, readers (the K level comes with 30!, not sure about the other grade levels), charts, phonics drill practice in the form of sliders, games and activities. Its affordable as well. I just thought I would throw it out there so you could check into it and see if it would be a good fit for your dd. Its been wonderful for us so far!
DD 8 - BHFHG
DS 5 1/2 - LHFHG
DS 4 - Enjoying preschool toys and workbooks.

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